Quiet Bathroom Fans

A new generation of bath fans effectively clear the air with noise levels of 1.5 sones or less

JLC • JUNE 1996
On a recent visit to a house to solve
a heating problem, I had a chance
to look at the bathroom. Moisture was
causing the paint to peel, and decay had
set in on the window sash and trim, and
probably in the structure behind the
drywall. This house was not air-tight by
any stretch of the imagination, but the
bathroom had no fan — and the lack of
ventilation was causing a major maintenance
problem.
I recommended installing a fan and
specified one that ran quietly. I've
learned that most people find it annoying
to be in a small room while a loud
fan is running; if the fan is quiet,